Cash's daughter, Rosanne Cash, presented the award, and Kristofferson received a standing ovation at the Curb Event Center at Belmont University.

"He is an artist with nothing to lose," Rosanne Cash said. "He can risk everything because he never compromises his integrity."

Kristofferson praised the late Johnny Cash and said, "Bob Dylan said it best. He said John was like the North Star — you could guide your ship by him." Then Kristofferson looked up and raised the award high above his head in tribute to his late friend.

Later, Kristofferson recalled time spent at Cash's lakeside home near Nashville that was destroyed by fire last week.

"We used to go down there when we got down on our spirits," he said. "My wife put it best though when she said John and June (wife June Carter Cash) took everything that really mattered with them."

Foxworthy recapped the year in country music, including Dolly Parton's Kennedy Center Honor.

"That's appropriate because if there's ever been a president who would enjoy Dolly Parton it's President Kennedy," he quipped.

But he quickly became serious when he addressed the fatal shootings at Virginia Tech.

"There are a lot of hurting people associated with Virginia Tech and we want those people to know in the days and weeks going forward that you are going to be in the hearts and minds of everyone in the country music community," Foxworthy said. "God bless you."

The Dixie Chicks were nominated for video of the year and group of the year — their first such nominations since country radio unofficially banned them.

But the Chicks were nixed in both categories.

The trio has been at odds with country radio since lead singer Natalie Maines told a London audience in 2003 that they were ashamed President Bush was from their home state of Texas.

But even without radio airplay, they managed to win three Grammys and sell 2 million copies of their latest album, Taking the Long Way.

"I understand the songs on that album are great, but I listen to country radio so I haven't heard them yet," Foxworthy cracked.

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